Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What does it mean when a tegu has alot of orange on its belly, is it just good stock or is it a sexual characteristic? I have 1.1 and one is larger and has alot of orange on the underside, the other is smaller, more narrow head and tail and has a normal white/yellowish underside. Any ideas?
Thanks
Scott

I think I remember reading some where that the orange belly Tegus may have come from Paraguay but, I could be wrong here. I also think I remember reading that as they get older the orange or yellow may fade and possibly disappear completely. Probably just different blood lines.

This is a baby picture of mine with his yellow belly.

My Male Arg. BW had an orange belly for about 6 months, I heard (though I don't know how true it is) that the bright orange coloration can be a sign of too much protein in the diet. Since you have only one with this problem, I am curious...do both of them eat the same types and proportions of food? Also, did they both come from the same breeder (maybe it is genetically influenced)

Cheers!

same diet, the orange belly one is growing faster, but they get the same portions of the same stuff. They were bought out of a huge lot, probably 40 or so that i picked out of, could or could not be realated, the other one has a plain belly, and is more narrow from the head down, with a more narrow tailbase, which is why i thought it to be a male characteristic. just a guess though, very pretty none the less, i need a good digital so i can post some pics
thanks
scott